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Choosing the right payment gateway is an important decision for any SMB. Customers in the UAE have come to expect fast, frictionless checkouts every time they pay, so having a payment provider that suits your business’s needs can help you deliver that great user experience.
Options such as Ziina, Mamo, Telr, and Tap Payments are all popular with small-to-medium -sized businesses in the UAE – but how do you know which one is right for you?
In this guide, we'll run through each one and weigh up their features, costs, and setup speed.
Comparison table: Stripe alternatives for SMBs in the UAE*
| Feature | Ziina | Mamo | Telr | Tap Payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Set-up time | Quick setup | Quick setup | Quick setup | To be confirmed with provider |
Payout speed | 1 - 2 days for amounts under 25K AED (24h options available for eligible users) | 2 - 5 days, with same-day settlements available (to be confirmed with provider) | 1–2 days (to be confirmed with provider) | Up to 5 days (to be confirmed with provider) |
Transaction fees | 2.6% + 1 AED | 2.9% + 1 AED on the Growth plan | Varies by plan | 2.75% + 1 AED |
Transaction fees for international cards / currency exchange | Additional 1.5% per transaction for non-AED currency and/or international cards | 3.4% + 1 AED for international cards (Growth plan); +2% when charging customers in non-AED currencies. | Not publicly specified. Fees may vary by pricing plan and currency. | Not publicly specified on the pricing page or terms. |
Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go | Subscription + per transaction fees | Subscription + per transaction fees | Pay-as-you-go |
Fees shown reflect publicly available standard pricing and may vary depending on card type, transaction volume, currency, settlement arrangement, additional services and VAT. Onboarding and payout timelines are indicative and may depend on successful verification, banking arrangements, and other eligibility requirements.
Ziina
We’ll start with our solution first: Ziina** is an all-in-one payments app that’s designed specifically for SMBs in the UAE. We’re a homegrown platform, which means we have a strong understanding of what Dubai consumers are looking for when they go to pay. For example, we support a range of local payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and Amex.
Ziina also offers customer support in both English and Arabic during UAE business hours.
We offer a range of ways to get paid. For example, you could:
- Share branded payment links to accept payments on social media via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit cards.
- Use Tap to Pay on iPhone or Android to turn your smartphone into a contactless terminal.
- Generate QR codes for in-person sales at pop-ups or events.
- Integrate a fast payment gateway into your Shopify or WooCommerce store.
- Use ZiiBoard to send payment links directly within Instagram or WhatsApp chats.
You can get set up with us quickly and start accepting payments across your mobile, web, and social media channels. That’s exactly what our customer Alia Almarzooqi did with her business OLAH Haircare to achieve 30% month-on-month revenue growth:
“What set Ziina apart was that it came highly recommended by a friend and it was a trusted, UAE-based company. The payment gateway integration was easy, and Ziina supported multi-currency payments for our GCC customer base. Ziina’s features are perfectly aligned with all our payment channels – website, Instagram, and WhatsApp. ”
Setup time: Can be very quick.
Payout speed: 1 - 2 days (often in 24 hours) for amounts under 25K AED or instantly for eligible users.
Transaction fees: 2.6% + 1 AED.
Mamo
Mamo is a payment provider for SMBs in the Middle East that sell across multiple channels and need integrated expense management. Mamo lets you:
- Receive funds in your Mamo wallet on the same day they’re sent
- Quickly contact customer support managers via Slack for troubleshooting issues
- Accept diverse payment methods
- Make use of expense management tools and corporate cards
Setup time: Can be quick.
Payout speed: It varies, but same-day payouts are available.
Transaction fees: 2.9% + 1 AED on the Growth plan.
Telr
Telr is a UAE-based alternative to Stripe that enables you to:
- Sell through several channels using payment links, including instant messaging and social media platforms
- Apply for fast-track financing based on your processing history
- Choose a plan that fits your size. They offer smaller plans for those processing up to 50,000 AED per month and medium plans if you sell over that amount
- Make use of the Telr Secure feature for anti-fraud measures
Setup time: Can be quick.
Payout speed: Your Payout Schedule is specified in your Telr Dashboard. Telr may require a holding period before making a settlement to your account if it’s your first time withdrawing funds.
Transaction fees: Varies by plan.
Tap Payments
Tap Payments is built for businesses looking to scale across the GCC and wider MENA region using a single integration. With Tap Payments, you can:
- Reach customers across the Middle East with local payment methods
- Connect a local bank account in the MENA region to your Tap Payments account and receive payouts
- Access APIs and sandbox environments to customize your checkout flow
Setup time: Not explicitly stated.
Payout speed: Up to 5 days, though you should confirm the exact times with the provider
Transaction fees: 2.75% + 1 AED.
Choosing the right Stripe alternative for your UAE business
The best payment gateway for your SMB ultimately depends on the features that your business needs, whether that's fast onboarding, local payment support, low transaction fees, or scalability.
Before making a decision, take the time to evaluate your payment volume, target markets, and growth plans. Remember that the right choice isn't necessarily the most popular one — it's the one that best suits your use case.
As we've seen, providers like Ziina, Mamo, Telr, and Tap Payments each bring something different to the table, and they’re all strong Stripe alternatives for many SMBs in the UAE.
*Disclaimer: All information relating to third-party products and companies featured in this article has been sourced solely from their respective public websites and official publications at the time of writing June 2026. Ziina makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information. Product features, positioning, and company details may have changed since publication. Readers should refer to each provider's official website for the most up-to-date information before making any purchasing decisions.
**Disclaimer: Availability of Ziina products and features is subject to eligibility, successful verification, device compatibility, applicable transaction limits, Ziina’s terms and conditions, and regulatory requirements. Customers are responsible for ensuring they hold any trade license, permit, tax registration, or other approval required for their business activities. Fees, limits, payout timelines, and product features may vary and are subject to change. Please refer to Ziina’s latest terms and pricing for full details.
This article was published in July, 2026.
Sources:
- https://www.mamopay.com/business/payment-collection
- https://www.mamopay.com/pricing
- https://www.mamopay.com/
- https://telr.com/
- https://telr.com/pricing
- https://telr.com/terms-and-condition
- https://www.tap.company/en-ae
- https://www.tap.company/en-ae/terms-and-conditions